Grammar Gazette - Issue 1, 2024

MRS KATRINA RIVEROS HEAD OF DRAMA

ROMEO and JULIET THE SENIOR DRAMA PRODUCTION REFRAMES THE ICONIC TALE

T wo households, both alike in dignity, came together to stage one of the most iconic plays of all time for this year’s Senior Drama Production— William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The junction of Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School’s Drama departments—although not alike to that of the House of Capulet and Montague—was an exciting and long-awaited collaboration that enriched our co-curricular program, resulting in a dynamic piece of theatre for both our communities to witness.

The direction, led by BGS' Head of Drama Mr Ben Newth with my assistance, reflected our young actors’ own lives through a contemporary vision that showcased their vitality and youthful exuberance using a highly physicalised and ‘vibey’ aesthetic. Daniel Evans’ slick adaptation broke down the barriers of the traditional text, while continuing to honour the poetry and power of Shakespeare’s language by boldly injecting modern vernacular alongside his trademark wit. The production’s contemporary take juxtaposed old with new, bringing a fresh perspective on the oh-so familiar story by slamming the original text, settings, and contexts up against a modern and recognisable era, where young people … well, rule.

3

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Georgie Falting (12B) shone as the star-crossed Juliet, playing alongside BGS’ Omar Abiad as her Romeo. The duo commanded their lead roles with sensitivity and depth, taking the audience on an emotional journey. The beautiful singing voices of Sophie Clutterbuck (12H), Lucinda Isbel (12H), and Maeve Lynch (12M) underscored some of the most poignant scenes, while Alec Askew (12L), Margaret Barrett-Beck (11W), Flora Cardell-Ree (11O), Adelaide Chan (10M), Carys De Jager (12E), Ella Edwards (12G), Jaimee Jessop (11R), Molly Lynch (10M), Darci McMillan (12M), Thalia Kovacevic (10L), and their BGS castmates rounded out a strong ensemble. The formidable cast managed complex choreography and brought nuanced interpretations to their roles. Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night. The voices and viewpoints of youth are honoured and privileged in this re-telling, with the original version’s parental characters removed to re-frame this modern take within a young person’s autonomous space, painting a reflective lens of current society. On the streets of a modern day Verona, teen angst fights against forbidden young love in a world where

1

CAPTIONS 1 MARGARET BARRETT-BECK (11W) AND THALIA KOVACEVIC (10L) AS JULIET'S FIESTY CONFIDANTES 2 ELLA EDWARDS (12G) AS ABRIANNA RESISTING A BRAWL WITH THE CAPULETS 3 JULIET GAZING OUT AS SHE PONDERS HER NEW FOUND LOVE, ROMEO 4 AIMEE JESSOP (11R) AS COMEDIC NURSE TO JULIET PLAYED BY GEORGIE FALTING (12B) 5 ROMEO AND JULIET 6 THE MONTAGUES FACE OFF WITH THE CAPULETS 7 THE ENSEMBLE

2

26

GAZETTE • ISSUE 1, 2024 ISSUE 1, 2024

BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL